Up to 2,000 jobs are under threat at Tesco distribution centres as the supermarket shuts down sites across the country.

The company is shedding up to 800 jobs at its Harlow site, 650 at Weybridge, 400 at Chesterfield and 150 at Magor in south Wales.

Tesco has 32 distribution centres but wants to slim down its operations by shifting work to two new sites in Reading and Dagenham in an attempt to reduce costs and its carbon footprint.

Bosses told staff of the job losses on Monday afternoon but said they will attempt to relocate workers to the new super hubs.

Chesterfield, Weybridge and Harlow will be closed down entirely, while Magor will remain open but with fewer staff. The announcement starts a 90-day consultation, with the sites due to close by September.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "We've been reviewing our distribution network, and have confirmed plans to close some of our current distribution centres and open new ones that will give our customers a better service and improve working conditions for our colleagues.

"Colleagues who are affected will be offered jobs at other Tesco sites, including at the two new distribution sites we have confirmed we will be opening, in Reading and Dagenham. Two thousand jobs will be created at those sites."